Colombia, Ecuador to face off at Red Bull Arena

Juan Pablo Ángel hasn't appeared in the Colombian National Team kit for more than four years.

NEW YORK – Could Juan Pablo Angel return to play for the Colombian National Team at Red Bull Arena?


That's the story line many fans will be following after it was announced on Wednesday that Red Bull Arena would host another high profile international matchup between Ecuador and Colombia on Friday, Oct. 8 (8:30 p.m. ET).


The match comes on a FIFA international fixture date and both countries are expected to call up their best players.


The intrigue surrounds Colombia’s squad list with three MLS players reportedly contenders for a spot on the roster. Ángel has been talked about, as have MLS MVP candidates David Ferreira (FC Dallas) and Fredy Montero (Seattle Sounders).


Ecuador will be led by former Colombian National Team coach Reinaldo Rueda, who will match wits against his compatriot, Hernán Darío “El Bolillo” Gómez.


The two South American rivals are regulars on the New York scene. They played two previous matches at the old Giants Stadium in 2006 and 2008, drawing 52,425 and 32,439 fans, respectively. Red Bull Arena has a capacity of 25,000.


The Ecuador vs. Colombia match will mark the third game in seven days on the Red Bull Arena turf. The South American exhibition will be sandwiched between two Red Bulls regular-season matches on Oct. 2 against the Kansas City Wizards and Oct. 9 against Real Salt Lake.


Tickets go on sale on Friday.